NorthEast Coalition of Neighborhoods

NorthEast Coalition minutes February 21, 2010

NorthEast Coalition Minutes for February 21, 2010

Residents got a chance to bring their compliments and concerns “straight to the top” at last Sunday’s Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods meeting at the University City library.  For the second time since his election to County Commissioner, Dr. Daniel Murrey, came to the coalition’s monthly meeting, and Claire Green-Fallon, the group’s president, greeted him warmly.

 Dr. Dan Murrey is a Democrat elected at large to his first term on the Board.

 He is a board certified Orthopedic and spinal surgeon.  He is a member of several professional organizations including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Orthopedic Association, the Cervical Spine Research Society and the Scoliosis Research Society.  He was the District 4 Chairman of the 2007 Mecklenburg County Bond Campaign, a member of the 2006 Mecklenburg County School Building Solutions Committee, and a member of the 2007 Mecklenburg County Education Budget Advisory Committee.

 Dr. Murrey spoke about health care and the ramifications for passage of the bill.  He stated that in his opinion that health care should pass this would ensure 30 million more citizens would be covered.  The summit the President held on Thursday is more for a bipartisan issue.  Health Care insurance reform is needed more than any one could imagine. The subject of reform hasn’t been discussed, rather the cost.  He also mentioned the following:

-          Health insurance is needed for healthy folk and sick ones

-          The healthy folk are not likely to purchase insurance.  This is the reason we need universal coverage.

-          The best use of dollars are not structured the best way because the overhear or amount of patient care goes to administration costs, salaries, dividends, not mention, top 5 insurance companies salaries topped 5 million for the year.

-          The quality of life has changed since the 1950’s.  Today we can treat a patient with better equipment than before.

-          Been interested in the insurance field way before med school.  But support universal health care reform.

-          Health care makes sense for all of us.  But getting there is the biggest thing.

-          Death panels – No language of this in health care bill.

-          Living Wills or Dr. “Do not resuscitate”

-          Some doctors don’t like the insurance plan.  But where are they going to go or do? Don’t know.

-          Will we be able to manage Health Care? Canada and other countries have a waiting list.

-          25 to 30% of folk covered with Medicare 1/6 is covered by Medicaid.

-          What are we spending on: Specialty – Cancer, Coronary, Orthopedic, represent more of the dollar.

-          Cost effectiveness – was it worth it?

-          Will there be enough doctors to cover the 30 million new patients?

-          Medical have a new model.  Meaning your primary care doctor is responsible for all of your care

-          Mal-practice not communicating very well

 County Budget:

-          Budget is short on cash. 7.50% per month.

-          25,000 8.25% million cost to provide student ways to get to school

-          Does the school ever get audited? Not yet. But the budgets are looked at with a fine tooth comb.

-          Wake County cuts were smaller than Mecklenburg County who has more people.

-          Shift in capital expenditures may be closing the library on Saturday as well.

-          CMS may close or not open the schools that are just being built because of the budget cuts.

-          Model for Sheriff and CMPD to act as first responders, communication is the key, no battle lines should be drawn.

-          Property tax to be revaluate 2011 no changes as of now.  Not going to have a large appetite for a tax increase.